When New York Governor David Paterson unveiled his 2009 Executive Budget, many New Yorkers couldn’t help but snicker at such belt-tightening proposals as the 15% “obesity tax” on non-diet drinks.  For the recreational fishing and boating industry however, particularly a new coalition called Save Boating and Fishing Jobs in New York, the sweeping set of new taxes levied at their “active” tourism industry in New York is no laughing matter.

Efforts to force saltwater anglers to buy a $19 dollar saltwater license ($40 for out of state anglers) before casting a line in New York’s coastal waters would strike a heavy blow to marinas, tackle shops and marine dealers, most of whom are already suffering from a two-year-long decline in business. In addition to a saltwater license, the governor’s budget would also impose a 5% luxury tax on all boats costing over $200,000, an increase in marina fees, an increase in state park fees and a lifting of the cap on state fuel taxes.

“We’re outraged that the Governor would recommend not one, but five new or increased taxes targeting fishermen, boaters and the $1 billion New York recreational fishing industry. We’re experiencing an unprecedented Continue Reading »

We received this note from the Virginia Coastal Conservation Assocaition. Please act if you live in Virginia!

Virginia’s marine resources would be imperiled if Senate Bill 1087 passes in the General Assembly. CCA VA  urges your immediate action to defeat this bill.

The bill would dedicate THREE associate commissioner seats on an expanded Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to commercial watermen. This
compares to the ONE seat that is held by a recreational fisherman. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources reported SB1087 out of committee on January 26 by a vote of 13 to 2. If the bill is passed in the Senate, then it will go to a House Committee for consideratio
We ask that you immediately call or email your state senator or delegate who will soon vote on SB1087. If you do not know the names of your senator and delegate, click here: Welcome to the Virginia General Assembly – Who’s My Legislator? It’s simple … just state your name and telephone number, and tell the legislative aide to ask your Senator or Delegate to vote NO on SB1087.

At the Senate Committee hearing, commercial watermen representatives talked about the state of the blue crab fishery and how Continue Reading »

Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI) partners including the Ocean City Reef Foundation, MTA New York City Transit, the Town of Ocean City, CCA MD and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), placed 44 retired New York City subway cars off Maryland’s Atlantic coast for creation of two new artificial reefs, the Research Reef and the Isle of Wight Reef. This is the third deployment of subway cars on permitted reef sites off Maryland’s coast since May, 2008 when Maryland joined several other Atlantic coastal states in a habitat enhancement plan which recycles decommissioned New York City Transit Authority subway cars to improve benthic habitats off the Atlantic coast.

“This week’s placement of subway cars on the near shore sites at Research Reef and Isle of Wight will provide benefits to sport fishermen and divers, through the enhancement of these sandy, hard bottom, slough areas. In particular, small boat fishermen will have two new locations to fish within easy access of the Ocean City Inlet,” said Martin Gary of Maryland DNR’s Fisheries Service. “The over 60 partners in the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, and the Ocean City Reef Foundation continue to improve marine habitat through their commitment to raising the necessary funds to transport the cars to the Maryland coast”, Gary said.

The Research Reef is approximately 8 nautical miles southeast of the Ocean City, Md. inlet, and Continue Reading »

I received the below from the American Sportfishing Association.. It’s a bitter sweet feeling for me, on one hand its great to protect our oceans and there are many studies that suggest that areas around protected areas benefit greatly with better fishing. On the other hand, it’s not such a good feeling to have recreational fishing completely off limits. What do you think?

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President leaves anglers and boaters a legacy of restricted access to public resources
Using unilateral presidential powers provided under the Antiquities Act and bypassing long-standing environmental review and public comment processes, on Tuesday President George W. Bush will declare Rose Atoll, the Mariana Trench and the Pacific Remote Island Area (PRIA) as U.S. National Marine Monuments creating the largest marine protected area on the planet covering 195,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean. The proclamation effectively prohibits recreational fishing out to 50 nautical miles within the monuments for an undetermined period of time until federal agencies can complete their compatibility assessments.
In 2006, the President first used the Antiquities Act to create the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument. The Antiquities Act historically has been used to set aside lands under a federal designation for historical or cultural significance, as are some of the areas within the National Park Service. The Hawaiian Islands monument encompasses 140,000 square miles where all recreational fishing, even catch-and-release, is banned.
The American Sportfishing Association along with other members of the sportfishing community held a series of meetings with the White House over the past several months to highlight the conservation, economic and social benefits of recreational fishing and boating and voice their concerns about using the Antiquities Act to establish marine protected areas in the Pacific Ocean.

“What most people will fail to realize is that this designation process Continue Reading »

Organizers believe the Pisgah Fly Masters, a casting and fly-fishing competition in North Carolina preparing for its second year on March 21-22, could emerge as a premier event with continued success.

“Having the inaugural event under our belt helps,” said Emilie Johnson, “And I believe adding a youth category this year for anglers younger than 16 will enhance the competition and gain popularity.”

Hosted by the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, a free-to-the-public learning facility operated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the Pisgah Fly Masters challenges anglers’ casting skills off-stream, with finalists moving on to catch and release competition on the river.

Registration is open to the first 125 entrants through March 3, 2009 for $50, with a late registration available for $75 until March 21, space remaining. The event is sponsored by Davidson River Outfitters.

The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, adjacent to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery. Aquatic ecosystems and cold water conservation are a large part of the exhibits and displays.

All proceeds from the tournament will go toward wildlife and aquatic education programs at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. For the competition format, rules, prize list and entry forms, contact the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education at (828) 877-4423 or e-mail emilie.johnson@ncwildlife.org

If you live anywhere on the east coast and have not attended Tie Fest and are interested in fly fishing (beginner, expert or just curious) I highly encourage you to attend. It is put on in the true spirit of what fly fishing is all about!

I/we have made Tiefest every year, this year I/we will unfortunately we will miss it this year due to be chasing golden dorado and trout in Patagonia. We’ll be there in spirit and be posting pictures here.

When: Feb 14, 2009
Time: 8am to 4pm
Cost: FREE
Where: Kent Island Yacht Club, Kent Island Maryland
Directions here
Grub (food): The yacht club will have food and drink for a small fee

Information: There will be rod companies, line reps, guides, clubs, shops, and special guests like Lefty Kreh and Bob Popovics just to name a few. Tyers will come from near and far… casting instructors will give free lessons.. it will be a great days folks!
*click on the flier picture in this post for more information

This year the event will be supporting oyster aquaculture in area rivers. We’ll grow em’ and put em’ in places they will be safe to filter the water and help the bay!
It is small enough to be hands on and large enough to draw the big guns in the sport.

I can’t tell you how important this event is to our sport and our community. With the loss of area shops, this is the best way to teach our sport to future generations…
Bring your kids guys.. I’ll make sure they get a casting lesson from the great ones.. something they will never forget

The Governor of Virginia recently appointed Bill Laine of Smithfield VA to the VMRC. He occupies the “recreational chair” formerly held by Wayne McClesky.  Mr. Laine served as Circuit Court Clerk in Isle of Wight County for 34 years, from 1973 to 2007, and has sat on VMRC’s Finfish Management Advisory Board for the past five years. “Bill will make a terrific addition to the team as we move ahead with the challenges that face our marine resources,” said VMRC Commissioner Steve Bowman.  Mr. Laine has fished regularly for more than 50 years, both in fresh and saltwater, mostly in the lower end of the Chesapeake Bay for the past two decades. Mr. Laine replaces Wayne McLeskey of Virginia Beach, who served eight years on the VMRC board.
(pictured CCA Government Affairs Co-chair Frank Kearney (left) chats with Bill Laine, the new recreational rep at VMRC.)

On January 6th, 2009, Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, introduced the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (H.R. 81) in the House of Representatives. The bill is identical to the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 (H.R. 5741), which was passed last year by the U.S. House of Representatives but was not acted on in the Senate before the 110th Congress adjourned. The legislation would greatly strengthen the U.S. shark finning ban by requiring fins to be naturally attached to any shark landed by any vessel within the United States and its territories. Other countries must implement comparable regulations or face the possibility of U.S. sanctions.

Please take a moment to write to your Representative today. You can find your Representative and his/her contact information by entering your zip code on the United States House of Representatives web site, www.house.gov/.

Visit NCMC’s web site to view a sample letter.
*photo from SaveAllSharks.com